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The sun was setting behind the tall buildings of Manhattan New York, its rays shining off of the windows in the shops that were now dark and vacant. Shades of orange, red and pink colored the sky in large splashes, like paint that been spilt on a blue canvas. Most people had left the streets to go home, except a few shop keepers finishing up their last few chores. One of the few people out and about was a newsboy. A tall boy with muscled arms and fiery red hair. He twirled an empty messenger page by the strap in his hand. Albert DeSilva was his name, it was a well known name, he was someone who not many people messed with. Friends and his partner knew him to be a good friend and goofy guy. Strangers knew him to be an aggressive dog who will bite without a warning.
Though his mind was not on anything of that sort. No craving for a fight reached him mind, he was thinking about something better. Something sweeter and less rough.
Racetrack Higgins. An Italian boy of about 17 was someone Albert longed to see every night after his long work hours.
The one person who could make him soft, could make him know what love felt like and how warm he could feel just by holding his hand. He craved it more than anything he’s ever wanted in his life. As cheesy as it sounds, Albert felt that way. Of course, they couldn’t see each other every hour of every day. Though Albert was sure Racetrack would love it if they could do that. They had papes’ to sell a their selling spots weren’t the closest to each other. Both boys did their best to ignore the gnawing feeling in their hearts, but sometimes it was impossible.
Albert was so caught up in his mind that he almost walked past the lodging house. The small wooden building that was home to him. It only had three rooms and not much privacy, but it was home and when you’re a newsie you’ll take what you can get.
Opening the door, the sound of talking and shouting would’ve normally overwhelmed someone. Though Albert had grown used to the noise and walked in without complaint. The main room was a simple desk area that new newsboys would sign in and get a file created for them. Otherwise, veteran newsies rarely needed anything from it. Albert trotted up the stairs, his legs sore but he wanted to get to bed quick.
The stairs took him up into a large room with walls lined with bunk beds. A group of five newsies were sitting on the lower bunks near the door playing cards. That’s where the yelling was coming from, one of them had won and the rest were not having it. Albert found this funny, but decided against joining in. He walked right past, mumbling a few hellos at the boys who acknowledged him.
Racetrack had a bottom bunk. He’s always had one. He claimed he took them because it was convenient and he moved too much in his sleep. Though a part of Albert wondered if he was lying and was secretly scared of the dark. Approaching the bed, which was respectably in the middle of the left row, Racetrack grinned at him from the bed. His cigar was between his lips, unlit of course, but still in his mouth. Racetrack liked the feeling of the cigar in his mouth, not so much the actually smoking part of it.
The messenger bag Albert carried was tossed onto the bedside table before Albert himself flopped onto the edge of the bed. His boyfriend sat up, scooting closer to him as Albert untied his shoe laces.
“Yer back late” Racetrack said matter of factly
“Yea well, I couldn’t sell my last couple a papes, had ta search fer people to buy ‘em” Albert replied, kicking his shoes off and putting him under the bed. He turned around and crawled onto the bed, flopping onto his back.
Racetrack laid on his side next to him once he was settled, putting his fist on his temple to keep himself up.
“Sellin’ was bad then?” Racetrack asked, though he hardly needed to, Albert had been having trouble with his selling recently
Albert only hummed in response. Closing his eyes with his hands behind his head. Racetrack took this as an opening to scoot down and lay his head on Albert’s chest.
“Ask Jack tomorrow, maybe he’ll be able ta point ya someplace betta” that suggestion was a good one, Albert knew Jack had been here the longest and would know all the good spots to migrate too if yours runs dry.
“yea I will, now shh I’ve been on my feet all day” Albert took an arm from behind his head and wrapped it around Racetrack. Pulling him closer so he could plant a kiss on Racetracks forehead.
A chuckle left Racetracks lips, closing his eyes and snuggling closer to his boyfriend. He was so warm and the mattress was oddly comfortable for once. Soon the noises from around them were zoned out. They laid together comfortably, Albert’s heartbeat rung in Racetrack’s ears like a lullaby before it lulled him to sleep.
(I have this dream where I’m hitting my dad with a baseball bat)
Albert walked down the road, his messenger bag felt heavy on his shoulder yet he didn’t think there was anything inside. He felt slow in his walk, everything felt so heavy and everything felt wrong. There were no other newsboys on the streets. Not a single person seemed to be anywhere, yet the sun was up and shining.
Then he saw him.
Standing at the end of the sidewalk right where the block ended.
His father.
Albert froze in his steps. Staring wide eyed at the figure now rapidly approaching him.
He tried to run. Tried to go as fast as he could but his legs wouldn’t move.
His father grabbed his shoulder, saying something that Albert could barely understand. It was like he had cotton in his ears.
Albert didn’t know how or when the bat appeared in his hands. What he did know was that he immediately began to use it Delancey style. (And he is screaming and crying for help)
Albert could feel the body beneath the bat. He could feel everything breaking and turning to mush. He wondered if this is how the Delanceys felt when they killed their father.
At first his father screamed and cursed at him but it eventually became gurgled sounds.
(And maybe half way through, it has more to do with me killing him then it ever did protecting myself)
Soon everything was quiet. The bat clattered to the floor and Albert didn’t think he could breathe. The body on the floor was unresponsive or recognizable, but he didn’t seem to care..
He didn’t care until the body jerked up and grabbed hi-
Albert awoke with a choked scream. He heard some of the other boys shuffle in their beds, but none of them properly waking up. After years in the lodging house you learn to sleep through everything. Though Racetrack immediately woke up and sat upwards next to his boyfriend. Wrapping an arm around him, he began to whisper sweetly into his ear.
“It’s alright amore”
“He ain’t ‘ere”
“Nothing can hurt you now”
“Sh sh it’s alright, I’m ‘ere”
“He won’t ever get you again”
“My brave Ciccio”
Gentle kisses were felt on Albert’s temple, his cheek, the top of his head. Albert raised a shaky hand and put it on Racetrack’s hand. It was known that the ginger had nightmares about his father, though it had been so long since the last one. The two boys assumed he had finally become free of them.
“I didn’t mean ta wake ya” was whispered to Racetrack, who smiled at his lover
“Shush now, it ain’t no problem, what kinda guy I be if I didn’t take care of ya” He replied, beginning to help Albert lay back down.
“I really do think yer perfect” Albert mumbled sleepily
Most boys who had their sleep disturbed were back asleep now. The lodging house was silent except for the eventual slow breathing from Albert. His heart rate slowed, but he was still shaky. This time it was Racetracks turn to wrap an arm around Albert. A kiss was planted on his cheek while the racer absentmindedly played with Albert’s fire red hair.
Albert always liked it was Racetrack did that. Playing with each other’s hair is something they did often, a small way of showing affection yet it made Albert swoon. Not many people can say they’ve made Albert DeSilva swoon, but Racetrack can.
“I really do love ya” Albert whispered into the silent room
“I love ya too Al, so much” Racetracks heart skipped a beat, he couldn’t help but lean his head down and give Albert a proper kiss.
They stayed like that for a while. Albert’s hand on Racetracks cheek while they kissed. For a moment it felt like nothing else mattered except each other. Nothing could ruin their lives if they still had each other. The love they held was strong and unexpected. Sure they had been friends for so long, but it’s not every day you can look at a friend and know for a fact you love them. Love is something neither of them have known, Albert especially. So having something so precious and special to them made them both so happy. Nobody else could make Albert feel the way he does about Race.
When they pulled away, race scooted himself down again to lay his head on Albert’s chest. Once again the sound of his boyfriend’s heartbeat was like a lullaby to Racetrack. It was a melody he could listen to forever and always find it beautiful. To Albert, though this may sound weird, it was the smell of Racetrack he loved. The Smokey smell from the cigarettes and occasional cigar he smoked smelled Albert’s nose. It wasn’t as strong as most people would expect, it was a faint smell that clung to Race’s clothes. That is what lulls Albert to sleep this time, his eyes fluttered closed as sleep crept back.
The stars twinkled outside and not a single nightmare plagued Albert for the rest of the night. The smell of smoke and the sound of a heartbeat kept the two boys asleep until, inevitably, the loud ring of the bell awoke the room.